Pokki - Bring web services to the desktop

Every once in a while, there comes a software that offers something so unique and unheard of that you can’t help but stop by and try it. One such software that has been making the rounds this past week or two is something called Pokki. 

Pokki allows users to add web services as apps on their desktop. There have been several attempts in the past, usually by major web browser developers who’ve wanted to bring web services to the desktop but they haven’t been completely successful and it might have something to do with the implementation and how easy interacting and accessing those services was. Often, these web apps were no more than a web browser with a really basic interface. 

What is Pokki?

Pokki is quite honestly, just another attempt at bringing web apps to the desktop. Currently, it’s a Windows 7 compatible software that brings web apps to your fingertips. The Pokki site says that a Windows XP version is coming sometime this coming month. Pokki is a software that runs in the background on Windows 7 and is only visible as an icon on the taskbar.

Adding Pokkis to your collection

It’s freely available for download. You can download Pokki by downloading any one of the services. If you’re a Gmail user like many of us, go ahead and download it. Once installed, installing additional add-ons (they are called Pokkies, if you're wondering) can be done by clicking on the main Pokki icon.

Recommended Pokkies

Gmail

A very authentic, but prettier looking Gmail user interface

It’s the most popular e-mail service out there and having to log into it using a web browser each time to check updates can be annoying. The Gmail Pokki not only allows you to see the number of unread messages in your taskbar, but also lets you read them, reply and compose new mails all through your taskbar. Let’s not even forget the fact that there are no ads visible anywhere on the interface. Attachments aren’t supported yet.